Clamp



w. B. sown/IAN. CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2| 1920.

1,428,877 4 v PatentedSept. 12, 1922 Patented Sept. 12, 192.2.

UNITE@ STATES PATENT OFFHCE..

WILLIAM B. BOWMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASS-IGNOB. OF ONE-HALF TO GUSIAV HOFFMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLAMP.

Application filed February 2, 1320.

T 0 all whom it may conce/m:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM B. Bow- MAN, a citizen of the United `States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in clamps, and has for its object the provision of an improved construction of this character which is simple and efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1, is a partial side view of a clamp embodying the invention,

Fig. 2, a similar view showing the parts in slightly different position and also partially in section,

Fig. 3, a view illustrating a slightly modified form of construction,

Fig. 4, a view illustrating another slightly modified form of construction, and

Fig. 5, a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. l

2, and

Fig. 6, a detail section corresponding with Fig. 5.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings, comprises a suitable frame 7 having a socket 8 at one end for the reception of handle 9. A clamping jaw 10 is slidably mounted in the frame 7 to protrude from the end thereof and co-operates with a companion clamping jaw 11 pivoted at 12 thereto. A pin 13 is extended across the open end of frame 7 between the jaws 10 and 11, and serves to force said jaws' apart when protruded. from frame 7. The aw 11 has its outer edge arranged to slide against a wedging shoulder 14 formed in the handle member 7, said wedging shoulder forcing said jaws together into clamping relation when said jaws are retracted into the frame 7. The jaw 10 is provided at its inner end with ratchet teeth 15 co-operating with a spring-held pawl. 16 in frame 10 and arranged and adapted to permit free inward sliding of the jaw 10 to automatically en- Serial No. 355,683.

gage said ratchet teeth and prevent outward sliding thereof. The pawl 16 is connected by a wire or cable 17 with a bell crank lever 1S positioned on the handle 9, and whereby said pawl may be operated to release the jaw 10 when desired. by this arrangement it will be observed that upon retraction of the jaws 10 and 11, within the frame 7, they will be forced together into clamping relation to engage an object between them by the wedging action of the wedging shoulder 14 operating against the outer edge of the jaw 11, and that upon extension of said jaw members the pin 13 serves to separate or force them apart. When desired, a mop head, sponge, or other article, may be placed between the jaws 10 and 11 and automatically clamped in place by forcing the jaws inwardly into the frame 7, and released by operating the bell crank 18 or the protruding end of pawl 16. The device may also readily be used as a weed puller, or manhole cleaner, by first opening or separating the clamping jaws and then forcing them together by pushing said jaws against the ground or the bottom of a manhole.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of construction, in which the clamping jaws 10 and 11 have been given slightly different shapes to adapt them to embrace different kinds of articles.

In Fig. 4 I'have illustrated another modified form of construction, in which the clamping jaws 10 and 11" are shown in a form adapting the device for use as an alligator wrench.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred forms of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not .wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. A clamp comprising a handle; a frame on said handle; clamping jaws freely slidable longitudinally in said frame and pivotally connected together; means for forcing said jaws apart and limiting their movement when sliding outwardly, and for forcingv said jaws together by contact thereagainst; and means for automatically locking said jaws as they are forced inwardly and together; substantially as described.

2. A clamp comprising` a handle; a frame on said handle; clamping aws freely slideable longitudinally in said frame and pivotally connected together; means for forcing` said jaws apart and limiting'thcir movement when sliding outwardly, and for forcingsaid jaws together by contact thereagainst; means for automatically locking said jaws as they are forced inwardly and together; and means at a distance for releasing said locking means to permit free sliding movement of said aws, substantially as described.

3. A clamp comprising a handle; a frame on said handle; a clamping jaw slidable freely in said frame; ratchet teeth on one side of said jaw; a (2o-operating clamping jaw pivoted to said first mentioned j aw and sliding against a wedging shoulder on said frame; a jaw separating member positioned in said frame between said jaws;and a spring-held pawl in said frame automatically engaging said ratchet teeth when the jaws move inwardly to engage an object, substantially aS described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSHUA R. H. Po'iTs, Rose K. TmB. 

